MOBILE, Ala. -- Auburn defensive end Dee Ford isn't about to cheat himself. Asked to compare his game to that of another NFL player, Ford went straight to the top.

"Someone who plays now? Why can't I say Lawrence Taylor?: Ford said after Wednesday's afternoon practice at the Senior Bowl.

When told he's more than welcome to compare himself to the Giants legend, Ford cracked a sheepish smirk. That's exactly the kind of on-the-field success the confident young man is envisioning.

"Well, that's who I want to be," he said. "I want to be the greatest."

That's a lofty goal, for sure. But not one that is completely inconceivable.

Ford is a quality player and prospect. He's been especially impressive during Senior Bowl practices, dominating offensive linemen with his burst off the line of scrimmage and surprising power.

It’s been much like this past season, when Ford recorded 10.5 sacks in 12 games for the Tigers, including two in the National Championship game against Florida State. He had 19.5 sacks in his collegiate career.

Ask Ford how he gets to the quarterback and the answer is simple. His go-to move is, “Speed. All day. Speed.”

No doubt, Taylor had speed. But he was also much more than sheer speed as an edge-rushing linebacker during his 13-year Hall of Fame career with the Giants. Taylor had it all while collecting 132.5 sacks and 10 All-Pro nods.

“He had everything,” Ford raved about his playing idol. “He had speed, power, played hard, was physical. He had everything.”

The general thinking among NFL personnel at the Senior Bowl is that Ford also projects as an outside linebacker, even after playing defensive end at Auburn. He would be a smallish defensive end if the Giants select him in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Ford, who was 190 pounds coming out of high school, was the smallest defensive lineman in Mobile. He practiced throughout the week in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ LEO position -- a hybrid end/linebacker role -- and looked comfortable. To the fifth-year senior, it doesn’t really matter where he plays.